Fender Custom Shop vs Masterbuilt - Is There Really A $3K Difference?

I have always wanted a Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Guitar, In my mind, these are the tip of the pinnacle of electric guitars. But is there really a noticeable difference between a Fender Custom Shop Teambuilt guitar and a Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt/ In this video, we find out.

Here is what Fender says.
A Fender Custom Shop instrument is extraordinary. You know it when you play one—it’s definitely more than the sum of its parts. It’s filled with intangible, electrifying elements that add a new dimension to your playing experience. It’s as if the instrument itself is imbued with history, alive with the spirit of the place where it was built and the devotion of those who crafted it.

The Custom Shop is home to Fender’s most skilled and talented builders. It’s a bustling, noisy and creatively volcanic place that re-earns its nickname—the Dream Factory—every day. Custom Shop builders are completely dedicated to their art—part craftsman, part artist, part music fan and, more often than not, part mad scientist. They’re the best at what they do, and they pour all of their passion, hard-earned knowledge and skill into every instrument they build. It’s no ordinary place, and the creations that come from it are no ordinary instruments. Welcome to the Fender Custom Shop.

For players who wish to create a completely custom instrument—anything from a humbucking pickup-equipped banjo to a custom-engraved aluminum-bodied Strat®—we offer Masterbuilt, a singular experience working one-on-one with one of our Master Builders. Custom-Built is for those prefer to start with one of our time-honored models and personalize the specifications to meet your specific needs. Use this guide to design your very own Masterbuilt or Custom-Built Fender guitar and make your dreams come true.

Masterbuilt
In every art form, there are those who have mastered their craft so thoroughly, through years of training and experience, their work routinely commands extra acclaim and admiration, not to mention outright awe. These astonishing artisans are the Master Builders of the Fender Custom Shop; a select group of the most talented builders recognized around the world for their matchless skill, limitless imagination and utter devotion to their art.

Crafting a guitar with a Custom Shop Master Builder is the ultimate artistic partnership—simply put, no idea is too crazy and no job too large or too small. They’ll walk you through everything—body design, neck shape, tonewoods, pickups, hardware and more—to give you the look, feel and sound that you’re searching for. From start to finish the Master Builder will personally ensure that each guitar is built with the highest possible quality and to your exact specifications. Additionally, it’s about more than just specifications, it’s about making the instrument of your dreams a concrete reality.

The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[Sixstringer]

The Masterbuilt is the best Strat I have ever heard, so rich, blooms, harmonic balance, sweet, there arn't enough words simply awesome. Thanks Paul, that was great.

[OrangeMicMusic]

Some random thoughts....Tom Morello recorded all the songs on Evil Empire using a no name pawn shop guitar worth $50.... Brian May playing all his life only one guitar that he built himself from some wood found around his house. I have really nice (expensive) guitars on my collection, but when it comes to have nominated albums, I think it doesn't really matters what you're using. It's like the song says "I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it"😀🎸🎻

[musicmann]

I'd have to say the Masterbuilt is simply a better built guitar. But since they're different pickups, that alone might be the difference in the sound. I like the sound of the Masterbuilt better, especially that great sustain on the notes. It's more alive sounding. But the pickups could be the explanation for that.

[micktheman]

I’ve played a lot of great masterbuilts but team built to me is just as good I can’t justify the price.

[docdoc]

ive been on a bit of a guitar video binge, i dont play guitar and ive been pondering electric or bass. Your playing at the end of this video from 7:51 has actually made me want to learn electric so thanks for that, beautiful playing.

[jlr]

Great video! I’ve got 4 custom shop Strats and a fifth that is masterbuilt. I love my masterbuilt Strat but I also love the other custom shop Strats just as much. For a masterbuilt you’re paying for a little more quality wood upgrade but mostly you’re paying for the privilege and attention to detail of a particular master builder. Honestly the off-the-wall custom shop stuff has an unbelievable consistency - right up there with PRS. It’s nice to own a masterbuilt but in all honesty if you have a standard custom shop guitar and cannot afford a masterbuilt, don’t worry about it - there’s just not that much difference. Owning a masterbuilt certainly does NOT make me want to get rid of any of my other Strats! They’re all beautiful… not only to look at but to play.

[guitarthink]

Been listening to 7:52-9:22 for three days.... Stuck in my head... Soooo good.. and fun to play !

[jamiebriggs]

Love the review. To me the answer was quite simple before watching it 😄
I do love seeing the breakdowns of these higher end guitars, especially the way that you do them.
It wouldn't make sense for me, personally, to spend $3-4k on a guitar, never mind $6-7k. For a someone who makes a living with their guitar it's obviously a different story.
The master built guitar definitely sounds better IMO, but the vast majority of the difference in tone is the pickups and how close they are to the strings.
I'm sure the master built guitar is amazing to hold and play, but. for us mere mortals, a $500-600 used MIM, with an hour of setup work and new set of pickups will get us 90% of the way there at a fraction of the cost.
As far as the relic treatment - the master built is really nice. Nice than average for sure. But again, is it worth thousands for it? I'll take a stab with a chain and a railroad spike and see how it goes :D

[mikeaaron]

I had a master built ultra relic in faded white and it was ordinary, a dale wilson. I had a team custom shop nos 57 in fiesta red which was the best guitar I have ever played the build quality was extraordinary and it sounded great. I had to sell it for the money I needed back.

[smith]

I know this isn't the point of the video, but I think Paul's playing is absolutely mesmerizing. What an incredible player!

[helder]

Difference is in the price. I've owned Strats from Squier to Masterbuilt. Still have the sunburst Squier SE that I modded to my liking with a WD soft-v maple neck and upgraded pups, and it is pretty awesome. I sold the Masterbuilt and purchased an EJ CAR Strat for myself and an American Tele that I gave to my teenage son, and still have change leftover. Believe it or not, the sound/quality is in the pickups combined with the amp it delivers through. The setup & action are also important, of course. Quality is important but not nearly as the aforementioned especially with the type of woods, hollow/solid/semi-hollow, etc.. That's more subjective, but from my experience with tinkering around with practically two of the same model/specs it really comes down to pickup selections and that specific guitar itself in how it resonates regardless in the type of wood selection. In other words, "the sum is greater than its parts" when the whole thing is assembled in its final stage.

[HanaRoadPictures]

That Masterbuilt sounds like an entire orchestra! Insane. However....it also has Fat 50s which are the best pickups Fender makes. I have them on a CS and I want them on everything from now on.

[rylieriley]

I love the way the necks feel on Fender Custom Shop guitars, but that Masterbuilt Strat is oozing mojo. It's spilling out all over the place. I was drooling over it throughout the entire video. 😍🤤

[harryliao]

It's an awesome demonstration. For my personal preference. If I have US$8000+. I rather to select Gibson custom shop. (murphy_lab_relic or old_CC series) You could truly feel the difference for this extra $3K. (Louder tone, sound of touch, More harmonic)
Different case in Fender. You may spend on extra light weight wood (Better wood), Master handmade fee(Second hand Price guarantee). I try both of them(Master VS Teambuilt). Of course Masterbuilt got a little bit extra "soul" in each of guitar. Similar as score 90(teambuilt) to 96(Master). That's it. you can feel the "roof top".
Does it worth for this extra $3K? not for me. but I definitely can feel this extra $3K in Gibson as mentioned.
(It's my personal preference and experiences. Of course, you may disagree with it. :D)

[paulcowart]

They both sound great IMO the pups make the difference I picked up a CS Troposphere hard tail strat Under 7 lbs Lightest one I could 6 -11 ounces's Super faded shell pink Looks almost white Paul Waller creation Josaphina wound pup's Great guitar

[pauljazz]

Nice job on the video. It’s great to see a comparison between the custom shop and the master built, although it would’ve been more helpful if you were able to get your hands on a set with the same specs i.e. same neck, same pick ups, etc. That way you could really see if there was a difference between the team build and the master build.

[glennmartin]

Paul, the master built has that classic warmth with a little natural buzz combined with the fat 50’s. Sounds epic to my ears. Definitely one of the best looking strata I’ve seen.
Keeper mate

[davidolsen]

Paul, look into Monty’s Pickups relicing wax. It will feed and darken the rosewood board (and it can be stripped back with lighter fluid or steel wool). Works like a dream. I love a dark board and I use it all the time.

[rjo]

I wouldn’t be able to get past the looks of that Masterbuilt.

[booge]

I'm not a fender guy, but I love that master built. Looks and sound. Beautiful.